Arsenal legend Ian Wright says he will not back the idea of scrapping relegation in the Women's Super League because it takes "away one of the core elements of the game".
The idea was raised at a meeting where WSL and Women's Championship clubs were present. The notion is thought to have been tabled, and is yet to have a final decision, in a bid to expand the leagues and to increase investment from club owners.
The CEO Womens Professional Leagues Limited Nikki Doucet has told the Guardian if the plans go ahead, which would only happen if clubs voted for it, then relegation would be paused not scrapped.
Ian Wright: 'It's not realistic'
The vote by clubs is thought to be taking place at the end of the season. If it is passed, it would see relegation paused for four years.
Wright said on the latest Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet: "If you look at the womens La Liga and the womens league in Norway, they are currently expanding, but theyre not scrapping relegation.
"I spoke to someone at the Womens Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL), and I understand how hard it is and what theyre trying to do with scrapping relegation as theyre looking for investment."
However, the investment theyll get from scrapping relegation wont be sustainable in respects of owners deciding to open relegation again, a few years down the line, which is just not realistic.
The WPLL are the ones who have brought this to the table, but it is down to the clubs to vote on it. I said to the WPLL that anything to do with scrapping relegation is not something that I can back because youre taking away one of the core elements of the game.
Former Manchester United player Gary Neville added the idea was a "disgrace", which FourFourTwo agrees with, and ex-Manchester City player Jill Scott, who won the Euros with England in 2022, said it made her question English football's identity.
Scott said: The Womens Super League trying to scrap relegation is a difficult one as it just makes it much harder for the teams in the Championship to break through into the top league.
"The beauty of English football is the thrill of promotion and relegation, so for it to be taken away, is that really English football?
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